Spotlight for birdwatching

[NightBird]

Hey folks,

I'm new to this market and this seemed like a great place to start. I'm looking for a light to survey/scan habitats like fields, wetlands, even forested areas for birds and wildlife. I'm looking for something rechargeable that will get the job done at a good price. Thanks in advance for your help, it is much appreciated! Let me know if I need to clarify anything.

Thanks!

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ___SW Ohio____.
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.

Either. Gander Mt, Walmart, Target, Meijer in the area, or online.

2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)

____Less than $25.
____Less than $50.
____Less than $100.


Grad student budget, and my first purchase in this market. I'd really prefer value, and would like to keep it under/close to 50 if possible.

3) Format:

____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:


____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____N/A

Flexible. I'd be willing to carry while hiking or throw in a pack if necessary for longer hikes.


5) Emitter/Light source:


____I don't know.

I'm a novice, you tell me what's best haha. I'm not looking to use for photography, so truest color isn't a huge concern, but enough to be able to see what I'm looking at.


6) Manufacturer:

____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.


Probably best to "keep it simple".

7) What battery type do you want to use?


Again, novice. I'd prefer something rechargable, and the longer lasting, the better.

8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).


____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).


I'm using this light to look for/survey birds and wildlife. Basically, scanning marshes/wetlands, fields, treetops.

9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.


____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)



10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).


____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)



11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.


____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).


I'd be good to it, but it will be out in the field.

12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):


____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)


Multiple levels would be a bonus, but definitely not necessary.

14)Material/Finish/Coating


____I don’t care.



15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).

I'm told this is easier on wildlife (especially mammals); this would be a perk (though I don't intend on spotlighting things for minutes at a time, more like 10 seconds, rarely longer, just enough to ID).

**Forgot to mention- In my search, the Stanley SL5W09 looked like it might be what I'm looking for, thoughts on that (will it do the job I need?) or similar?**

 

[fogacho]

Hi there,
as a professional bird guide in Brazil, my only experience is with the Fenix Lights, the TK12 R5, TK15 and TK35.
The TK12, my first one, was a great improvement over any flashlight I had ever owned: I could easily id birds high at the tree tops (with the help of binoculars, off course) and the user interface was great: max when a bird was distant and, if I could approach it, would lower the light with the twist of the head. TK15 replaced the previous: although I didn't like the user interface at first, it proved to be handy specially when you have to change light output while looking at the bird through the binoculars. The TK 35 is pretty much the best thrower you can buy for the money, and was purchased with a focus on mammals: while the previous ones seemed to be good enough, this one can light up entire fields and is just wonderful when you have a distant owl or mammal, even if you need a telescope to get a decent view of the animal. As the other ones it uses rechargeable 18650 li-ion batteries, is quite rough and compact and the one hand operation is great when you are using bins or telescopes.
See selfbuit's reviews of these lights here in the forum.

 

[LEDninja]

:welcome:

Lets talk batteries first.
Rechargeable batteries have a tendency to go from near full brightness to nothing in 10 seconds flat. Unlike the 2D with alkaline batteries which gets dimmer and dimmer but still give you some light. (You need a long running lower light level backup to get you home)
- SLA Used in a lot of cheap spotlights. Heavy. Both the lead and acid is bad for the environment.
- NiCd. Memory effect remembers how long you used the batteries and won't give you more runtime than your past usage. Also Cd is bad for the environment.
- NiMH old style. Tends to self discharge. Have to recharge regularly even when not in use.
- LSD NiMH. Often listed as pre-charged. Still have 80% of charge after 6 months or a year depending on where its made.
- Lithium (all types) Liked by CPF members because they are light weight and powerful. Need special chargers. Need careful handling to avoid :poof: . Multiple lithium configurations are more dangerous than single.

- Most cheap spotlights use built in Lead Acid. In addition to heavy they run for ~20 minutes.
- The Stanley LED spotlight use built in NiMH. I calculate 2 hour runtime on high. Or less. Then you have to recharge it. Check if the trigger switch would lock or you need to hold it down.
- The lights suggested in post #2 use lithium. 18650 for rechargeable.

I live downtown. Do not go to the countryside much. But there are 4AA lights that output similar to the Stanley. Would not throw as far as the Stanley but should hold its own against the TK12 which fogacho found adequate. (Note he graduated to more powerful lights.)
Dorcy 41-4750 180 Lumen LED Flashlight $18.10 - $25. Available at Amazon and dorcydirect. I got mine at Sears Canada but it is not a regular item. You will need to buy a 4 pack of LSD NiMH AA with charger ~$30. Should have a similar runtime as the Stanley. But if you get a 2nd pack of batteries ~$20 you can double the runtime.